TFExpo 2013 Updates

First of all, we want to thank you for joining us at TFExpo 2012 last summer. We had a great time meeting everyone, and hope you all enjoyed getting to meet Garry Chalk and Matt Frank. You made TFExpo 2012 the success that it was, and for that we're eternally grateful.

Moving forward, we have some exciting things planned for TFExpo 2013 that we want to share with you! The convention will be Saturday, August 3rd at the same location, Holiday Inn at Kellogg and Rock in Wichita. Here's what we have to look forward to:

Our Guest of Honor this year is none other than Gregg Berger, known far and wide as the voice of Grimlock in the original Generation 1 Transformers cartoon! Gregg recently reprised the role for the Transformers: Fall of Cybertron video game, and has MANY more acting credits to his name. Gregg will be meeting fans and signing autographs throughout the day.

We will also be joined by Flint Dille, writer and story editor for the Generation 1 Transformers cartoon. Flint will be answering fans' questions about his work on G1, as well as his current comic series from IDW Publishing, "Transformers: Monstrosity".

This year, we are pleased to announce Nebula Starship, TFExpo's very first EXCLUSIVE TOY UPGRADE SET! This quality, fan-produced item will upgrade your existing toy into a different character. The only way to reserve your copy is to register at the Ultra and Premium levels. Any remaining sets will be sold at the show on a first-come, first-served basis. For images and further details about the upgrade set, stay tuned to http://www.tf-expo.com in the weeks ahead!

If you're already planning on joining us for the show, join the TFExpo Alliance by registering today! Our Ultra Registration packages sold out within two weeks of being made available, but we still have Premium and Basic levels left! Here's what's included:

Premium Registration: Admittance to all TFExpo Events during the day, EARLY admission to the autograph line and dealer room, admission to the Saturday Night Dinner and Script Reading (includes one plated dinner of your choice), one TFExpo Exclusive Toy Upgrade Set, and one TFExpo 2013 Souvenir T-Shirt. A $120 value, for only $100!

Basic Registration: Admittance to all TFExpo Events during the day, EARLY admission to the dealer room and one TFExpo 2013 Souvenir T-Shirt. Does NOT include admittance to the Saturday Night Dinner and Script Reading. A $40 value for only $30!

We'll be releasing details about the Saturday Night Dinner and Script Reading very soon. Trust us, you will NOT want to miss this event!

To register today, or for more information, go to http://www.tf-expo.com/store/. Also don't forget to "like" TFExpo on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!

TFExpo is pleased to present a VERY special treat for those attending our Saturday Night Dinner and Script Reading. Flint Dille has announced that he will bring an excerpt of the script from “Transformers: Monstrosity”, currently being released as individual issues for digital download from IDW Publishing. The script excerpt will be performed LIVE by Gregg Berger in the role of Grimlock!

But that’s not all! We’ll need help filling the rest of the roles—Gregg’s talented, but he can’t do it all by himself. So earlier in the day, we’ll ask those attending the dinner to audition to fill the other roles in the script! That means YOU could be performing the voice of your favorite G1 character alongside Gregg Berger as Grimlock!
Following the dinner and script reading, the evening will wind down with music from local “geek band” The Fortunate Ones. They’ll be celebrating the music legacy of the 1986 Transformers film. Don’t miss out on this awesome evening of entertainment!
Admission to the Saturday Night Dinner and Script Reading is included with our Premium Registration package, along with the TFExpo Exclusive Toy Upgrade Set (details to come soon), one TFExpo Souvenir T-shirt, Admission to ALL TFExpo events, and early admission to the autograph line and Dealer Room. You will receive your choice of Prime Rib, Chicken Pasta or Vegetarian options for dinner. Premium Registration is $100.
If you wish to purchase your admission to the Saturday Night Dinner separately, the price is $50. The same dinner options will be available. But admission to the daytime events is NOT included, nor are any of the “extras” included with pre-registration mentioned above. Dinner seating is VERY limited, so don't delay!

TFExpo 2013 will be held August 3rd in Wichita, Kansas at Holiday Inn, 549 South Rock Road. For more information about TFExpo 2013, and to register TODAY, go to http://www.tf-expo.com!

TFExpo is proud to announce our latest guest for the 2013 show-- back by popular demand, Transformers Comic Artist Matt Frank! Matt's been keeping plenty busy this past year, adding "Mars Attacks the Transformers" and "Spotlight Trailcutter" to his body of work. He's currently illustrating the Transformers Collectors' Club story "Beast Wars: Shattered Glass". Matt will be appearing at his own Q&A Panel, selling his work, doing sketches and signing autographs throughout the day. Don't forget, Pre-Registration ends July 8th! Register today at http://www.tf-expo.com!

We'd like to announce a new addition to TFExpo this year-- TFExpo Preview Night! Open to Pre-Registrants ONLY, TFExpo Preview night is a chance to shop at a few of our Vendors' Tables on the Friday Night BEFORE the "big show". Early Pre-Registration Pickup will also be available. TFExpo Preview Night is also located at our hotel, Holiday Inn at Kellogg and Rock in Wichita, Kansas. The event will begin Friday, August 2nd at 7:00pm. TFExpo Preview Night is FREE to Pre-Registrants as our special "Thank You" for pre-registering. You can "Join the Alliance" and pre-register NOW at http://www.tf-expo.com! Registration deadline is July 8th!

Our friends at TFExpo have revealed their conventions exclusive upgrade set for Transformers Generations Deluxe Topsin, Nebula Starship! See the details below, and click here to visit the TFExpo website. TFExpo is just around the corner on August 3rd in Witchita, Kansas.

[quote]TFExpo is proud to fully unveil our EXCLUSIVE Upgrade Set for the 2013 show. It's been a long time coming, but we can finally share what we've been working on all this time. This upgrade set will turn your Generations Topspin into a shuttle ready to cross the galaxy! The upgrade set includes the head and wings only, the figure itself is not included. This set is included with Pre-Registration at our Ultra and Premium levels, which is now closed. It looks like we will have VERY few sets left on hand to purchase individually at the show. The price will be $15 plus tax. We are not offering reservations on the set, it will be first come, first served, limit one per attendee. Hope to see you at the show![/quote]

GuyIncognito wrote:Do they need to get any sort of licensing or permission from Hasbro to make an upgrade set like this? Just curious.

I'm wondering that myself, because this seems very much like prominently displayed 3rd party news... >=\

No, there is no licensing involved for the event or the add-on set. We decided that we're okay with posting stuff like this. We also posted the Charticon Quake custom. We like to help out the local conventions, plus you must have an official figure to make this work and this is more along the lines of a garage kit. Let's not make this into a 3rd party debate, we're just trying to help these guys out.

I thought Hasbro didn't support these local conventions in general - isn't it a bit silly to ask if this kit is officially endorsed?

I'm not trying to insult anyone, but I would like to emphasize that Hasbro does NOT support these conventions. That's really a mystery to me: is it liability reasons? Do they fear the fans can't run a decent convention without some oversight? I don't get it.

I guess it's nice that they turn a legal blind eye to the whole affair, but...
This garage kit is what fans want, and Hasbro's response is to release TF Bionicles.

I'm surprised so many of you would be offended by unlicensed TF products (i.e. 3rd Parties), but my belief is that these 3rd Parties are going to forcibly educate our beloved Hasbro with crucial knowledge that could save the TF brand down the line: collectors matter, and they will pay a premium when you make a product they want. Certainly, I think Takara/Hasbro is aware of 3rd Parties enough to ramp up MP production - or are we getting the exact same amount of MP's per year?

Anyway, this kit looks kind of lame to me. I like the head, but the wings don't stand out well at all. $15 is a bit steep, too... but hypocrisy notwithstanding, I'll probably pick one up when I go. (Assuming they don't sell out like the Premium/Ultimate tickets did!)

If you don't like the kit don't buy it. If you want one come early and be near the front of the line. There are VERY FEW left and I believe they will go quickly.

Personally, I think it is a great homage to Galaxy Shuttle.

Also, on the topic of Hasbro's involvement, while it would be awesome to have them come and set up a display of all the upcoming stuff IE Botcon and ComiCon etc, I prefer them not being involved. For one thing, we are still a very small convention and it is only our 3rd year. Another thing is the third party stuff. Hasbro has made a clear stance against all 3rd party stuff despite the general consensus that it doesn't hurt Hasbro or Takara really. We all still buy their stuff too. The 3rd party stuff is generally (with some exceptions) figures that Hasbro wont make or figures that are upgraded/articulated/tv accurate versions of older G1 style characters. You don't go out there seeing 3rd party Transformers prime Smokecreens do you?
If anything, Hasbro should be thanking the 3rd parties for re-igniting the fire in collectors. The 3rd parties have pushed Hasbro/Tomy/takara to really improve their products over the last few years. More articulation, more show accurate designs, etc. AND they have took a bigger step in the collector markets as well. Especially with the Generations line. The whole focus has been with collectors and producing classic figures. They have done a fantastic job. This next year will be amazing with everything from Metroplex to Swerve and Whirl (who fans have been asking for for years) and even the beast wars is getting some love. Believe me, Hasbro would not be doing all of these characters if it wasn't for the interest in the classics generated by the fans and opened up by the 3rd party developers.

sideswipe6520 wrote:If you don't like the kit don't buy it. If you want one come early and be near the front of the line. There are VERY FEW left and I believe they will go quickly.

Personally, I think it is a great homage to Galaxy Shuttle.

Also, on the topic of Hasbro's involvement, while it would be awesome to have them come and set up a display of all the upcoming stuff IE Botcon and ComiCon etc, I prefer them not being involved. For one thing, we are still a very small convention and it is only our 3rd year. Another thing is the third party stuff. Hasbro has made a clear stance against all 3rd party stuff despite the general consensus that it doesn't hurt Hasbro or Takara really. We all still buy their stuff too. The 3rd party stuff is generally (with some exceptions) figures that Hasbro wont make or figures that are upgraded/articulated/tv accurate versions of older G1 style characters. You don't go out there seeing 3rd party Transformers prime Smokecreens do you?
If anything, Hasbro should be thanking the 3rd parties for re-igniting the fire in collectors. The 3rd parties have pushed Hasbro/Tomy/takara to really improve their products over the last few years. More articulation, more show accurate designs, etc. AND they have took a bigger step in the collector markets as well. Especially with the Generations line. The whole focus has been with collectors and producing classic figures. They have done a fantastic job. This next year will be amazing with everything from Metroplex to Swerve and Whirl (who fans have been asking for for years) and even the beast wars is getting some love. Believe me, Hasbro would not be doing all of these characters if it wasn't for the interest in the classics generated by the fans and opened up by the 3rd party developers.

The kit is very nice. I just think the wings are too subtle - I can barely see them on the shuttle! Still, I really like the add-on kit idea and thinks it's a great exclusive. If the budget wasn't so tight from MP Soundwave, Metroplex, upcoming G1-homages, etc. I'd be all over this. And anyway, I'm not even sure who Galaxy Shuttle is...

You make a good point about 3rd Party stuff at the show, thanks! Hadn't even considered how a showdown like that could take place, nor how it would play out. I guess it makes sense to keep Hasbro out, if they bring lawyers or have one on speed-dial...

But I agree 100% with your 3rd Party support. I also think it pushes Hasbro to pay MORE attention to its core market: US! I think Hasbro would be pushing Robot Heroes and Bot Shots if not for how 3rd Parties are starting to make money and more are cropping up every day. Like I said elsewhere, Hasbro is the company that claimed (during a con panel) that the adult collector market is ONLY 10-20%. That tells me either they're too incompetent to do market research on their own customers (unlikely), OR that they want to mislead and HIDE the adult market. Not sure why that would be a priority for Hasbro, but we have to remember that they are historically out to make toys for kids. Maybe someone was concerned about revealing all the adult buyers. Certainly, the SW toys are a lot more adult buyers than kids (if my observations at toy stores ring anywhere near the truth). And like you said, collectors end up buying both Hasbro and 3rd Parties. Actually, in the case of Omega Supreme, for example, I went with Hasbro because it cost me 1/3 of what Genesis would cost!

The people behind TFExpo, taking place this weekend in Wichita, Kansas, have dropped by with the full schedule of the event! TFExpo this year features the special guests Gregg Berger (G1 Grimlock), Flint Dille (writer, G1 cartoon, Autocracy, Monstrosity) and Matt Frank (Spotlight: Trailcutter), so make sure not to miss it - check out the schedule below.

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